March 16, 2011

Telephone Tommie is at it again. After a strenuous week of picking the Number One seeds in the four NCAA regions (and picking Duke to win it all) as well as ducking the Libya crisis, the Japan Crisis, the rising gas and food prices, and, well, just about everything our elected chief executive is hired and paid to do, he's off with his family to Brazil and, presumably, some time on the links. He's taking the FLOTUS and the CHOTUSes with him but he's leaving the heavy security tab behind for us to pick up.

As I recall, Brazil does not have an extradition treaty with the U.S. Maybe, hopefully, he's fleeing the country and will stay in Rio..

March 15, 2011

A couple of posts ago, I wrote a short note on how Prez Phone-It-In was at it again. Er, actually, NOT at it again. Just like the Gulf crisis, when he should be at the head of his country, leading our efforts. he's taking it on the lam, playing with himself, and otherwise keeping a low profile by appearing to be above the fray. He's becoming the bookie-in-chief, fer crissakes!

By now, a breathless world has seen that Princess Phone has boldly stepped up and decisively made known his March Madness picks for the NCAA Men's Basketball Final Four. And, in what must have been an audacity of hype, POTUS Pants selected the number one seeds in all four brackets. Whattta guy! He has genitalia the size of -- er -- BBs.

Christ, he can't even get "Phoning It In" right.

And just in time, too. Because we are on the threshold of the precipice of the waning days before the beginning of the start of the commencement of the 2012 campaign season. We are, as Churchill once said, not at the end, nor are we at the beginning of the end, but it is safe to say we are at the end of the beginning. Anyway, coincidentally with all of this feeling of fresh, new, breezy Springtime revival, an article by Charles Babington of the AP kind of alludes to how, instead of Obama being a newly blooming daisy or daffodil or sunflower, he is more like a moldering piece of cow flop in a pasture.

Obama's team seeks new ways to fire up his baseBy CHARLES BABINGTONAssociated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Barack Obama rode a wave of voter passion in 2008 fed largely by intense dislike of President George W. Bush and the Iraq war, plus excitement among young and minority voters at the notion of electing the nation's first black president.

Now, as Obama cranks up his re-election campaign, all those factors are absent.

But does this worry our beloved pantload? Like a guy cranked up on LSD, he just keeps trucking through his own reality:

Obama acknowledged the challenge last week in Boston. "Somebody asked me, how do we reinvigorate the population, the voter, after two very tough years?" he told Democratic donors. "How do we recapture that magic that got so many young people involved for the very first time in 2008?"

One answer, the president said, is to persuade hardcore liberals to swallow their anger over political compromises the administration reached with Republicans, even when Democrats controlled both chambers of Congress.

Obama's concessions include dropping his proposed public option for health insurance, and extending Bush-era tax cuts for the wealthiest.

"There's no weakness in us trying to reach out and seeing if we can find common ground," the president said.

Despite his pleas, many Obama supporters clearly are disappointed. When he was inaugurated, 83 percent of Democrats said they expected his presidency to be above average, and nearly half predicted it would be "outstanding," an AP-GfK poll found. Two years later, 68 percent of Democrats rated it above average so far, and just 20 percent called it outstanding.

Last fall's elections were a disaster not only for the hundreds of Democrats voted out of Congress, governorships and state legislatures. They raised questions about Obama, too.

Thirty-seven percent of voters told exit pollsters they cast ballots explicitly to oppose the president, while 23 percent said their votes represented support for him.

But if Obama is wandering around in dreamland, he's got company; his staff is equally delusional.

Top Obama aides say things will look better by mid-2012, for several reasons.

They say GOP-led efforts to end state workers' collective bargaining rights in Wisconsin and elsewhere are dramatically galvanizing the labor movement, a key Democratic constituency. Some union activists wish Obama would speak up more forcefully for them. But campaign aides say they think he is walking the right line by supporting unions without appearing unduly beholden to them.

Another key group, gays and lesbians, may shrug off several disappointments and work hard for Obama's re-election because he signed legislation beginning the repeal of the Pentagon's "don't ask, don't tell" policy, which barred gays from serving openly in the military.

There you have it, the Democrat strategy in a nutshell: seek the pissed off ultra-lib-victim, harness their anger or throw them a bone, and bridle and saddle them for the upcoming campaign.

If we can get a candidate who is not some warmed over retread (I'm talking about you Mitt and Newt) and a GOP who can mount a campaign that does more than promise $100 billions in budget cuts and shorts the public expectation on that promise. An organization and who will finally grow a pair and hammer this clown and nail his sorry his sorry administration to the cross for what it has (and hasn't) done, then maybe we'll be rid of him and his sorry coterie of sycophants forever.

Like the Japanese tragedy, I ain't gonna do any analysis here -- we will have 18 months of that coming up soon -- but I will say that this clown is going to have a lot more trouble getting re-elected than he thinks. The perfect storm that swept him into office in 2008 has blown out and all that's left on the is some flotsam, jetsam, used condominiums, empty beer cans..

Gentle reader(s), it's not that I am ignoring he terrible events in Japan, it's just that I cannot deal with writing anything that has not already been written or said or broadcast or written again or said again or broadcast again. Of course, Mrs War Planner is concerned over her friends and family -- who are, for the moment, safe and sound. But in the War Planner ancestral manse, we have the Japanese channel going night and day and the pictures and commentary (from the fragmentary Japanese I comprehend) is just too disheartening for me to add anything but sadness and despair over the people back in Seiko's homeland.

I will impart this brickbat: After all is said and done, it would seem that the biggest nuclear meltdown will probably be the hyperventilating drivel that the MSM is shoveling out there in an effort to stay abreast of one another in the ratings war. Even Fox and Drudge are whoring themselves out. Adding to this, of course, is that slavering pack of bleeding heart, AGW, nuke haters in the lib peace-creep media.

I pray that the reactors remain intact and no one is harmed by them. But, if anti-nuke people think that they can make a case for shutting down all power stations on the basis that a 40-year-old generating station two months from being retired survived the largest earthquake to ever hit Japan, the fifth largest in the world, a host of stunningly potent aftershocks, and a 1o meter tsunami, then I am afraid that this will probably -- ahem -- blow up in their faces.

I certainly don't have any favorite charity and, in my impoverished state, would not even presume to recommend your contributing to the myriad "worthy causes" that spring up during crises like these. Somehow, we keep getting our heart stings tugged by the professional guilt merchants who panhandle outside the Stater Brothers' or Ralph's. You get a $5.00 candy bar and some kid in Sendai gets a bottle of water.

I know the Japanese people; they are tough, disciplined, and will survive this. We devastated them in WWII and they came back to build the third largest economy in the world. No natural resources; only ingenuity, guts, and hard work. Someone told me once that, "It's no shame getting knocked down. The only shame is not getting back up afterward."

If you have a favorite charity, then give by all means. But prayers and keeping them in your thoughts don't cost nothin'

March 7, 2011

Enclosed you will find my 2010 tax return showing that I owe $3,407.00 in taxes. Please note the attached article from the USA Today newspaper, dated 12 November, wherein you will see the Pentagon (Department of Defense) is paying $171.50 per hammer and NASA has paid $600.00 per toilet seat.

I am enclosing four (4) toilet seats (valued @ $2,400) and six (6) hammers valued @ $1,029), which I secured at Home Depot, bringing my total remittance to $3,429.00.

Please apply the overpayment of $22.00 to the "Presidential Election Fund", as noted on my return. You can do this inexpensively by sending them one (1) 1.5 inch Phillips Head screw (see aforementioned article from USA Today newspaper detailing how H.U.D. pays $22.00 each for 1.5" Phillips Head Screws). One screw is enclosed for your convenience.

It has been a pleasure to pay my tax bill this year, and I look forward to paying it again next year.

Sincerely,

A Satisfied Taxpayer

If this keeps up, each April 15th could be an interesting time of year.

March 6, 2011

..just got an e-mail from Newt Gingrich whom I do not dislike but am -- so far -- ambivalent to as my future leader. I think Newt did a great job back in the early 90s bringing turning the train-wreck Liberal Clinton presidency around. But then Bill got really skillful and did o.k. 'n stuff. I mean, except for groping a few interns, The Cohibatator would have been a better choice than our present-day King Doofus.

Anyway, Newt proudly announced to me that I and a few million others on his purchased e-mail list were in that inner sanctum, that tight coterie of those closest to his heart:

..got the knock-out babe trophy wife up there and all that, don't he? (Remember Mrs McCain?) Sure looks like a winner; the type of guy we want to flush The Pantload in 2012, right?

Well, pols do not tickle the electrons of your in box unless there's a reason to do so and here's the kicker:

I don't know if you can read that, but basically old Newt and his ravishing bride want me to advance them some folding green against the chance that he might throw his hat in the ring.

Say what?

Upon hearing this, my neighbor, Tim the Brit, told me this morning about Spike Milligan (one of the Goons) announcing to the audience at one of his shows that he would like to read some of Byron's poetry..

..then after the smattering of applause died away, he continued, "..but then again, I shan't. After all he's never read any of mine at his shows."

March 1, 2011

February 28, 2011

From my good friend, Lieutenant Bill, the usual crystal clear logic that seems to defy politicians and lefty, feel-good, do-gooders, who believe others should benefit from the sweat off your brow:

I have a job.

I work, they pay me.

I pay my taxes and the government distributes my taxes as it sees fit.

In order to get that paycheck, in my case, I am required to pass a random urine test. I have no problem with this fact.

What I do have a problem with is the distribution of my taxes to people who don't have to pass a urine test.

So, here is my question: Shouldn't one have to pass a urine test to get a welfare check because I have to pass one to earn it for them?

Please understand, I have no problem with helping people get back on their feet. I do, on the other hand, have a problem with helping someone sitting on their butt - doing drugs while I work. Can you imagine how much money each state would save if people had to pass a urine test to get a public assistance check?

I guess we could call the program "URINE OR YOU'RE OUT"!

Something has to change in this country - AND SOON!

By the way, just a thought, but all politicians should have to pass a urine test too!

I kinda prefer Bill's reality to the bravo sierra that goes on in Sacramento and DC, don't you?

February 23, 2011

Consider the lowly, outdated North American F-86 Sabre Jet. Small, personable, a far cry from the Thud or the F4 Phantom. (A jet dedicated to the proposition that, with a powerful enough engine or two strapped to its ass, anything will fly.)

No sir, the F-86 saw us through the Korean war and guarded our skies during the fifties. It was graceful and sleek and probably fighterdom's equivalent to the MGB GT, Triumph's Sprite, or the Mazda Myata.

Yet it held it's own against the Migs in the skies of Korea.

There are a number of You Tube videos out there that show the Sabre back in the day and those wonderful, venerable restored beauties that are still flying. It is said that these can be owned and made airworthy for just above five figures. I stumbled on the video below that flew in the face (sorry) of the mother-hen, safety-concious USAF of today. Here some very, very clever people in the 526th "Moonshine" FIS. Some real hot rocks guys with a flair for the intervelometer techniques, truly humorous stuff and some eye-popping gags.

..imagine an Air Force unit today pulling the stunts these guys did -- with brand new jets to boot!

February 21, 2011

The nickname sounds like a pejorative; it is most certainly not. It refers to a very good friend with whom I work. He's liberal; I am conservative; that's it.

Dave and I do not have violent arguments about politics. We have known each other since August 2006 (which is to say that's how long I have been working at my current gig) and he never rubbed my nose in any perceived problems with George W. Bush. He was always cordial, civil, and possessed a marvelous sense of humor.

Still does.

Similarly, I knew Dave desperately wanted Obama to beat Hillary and was delighted when that -- ahem -- person was inaugurated. I also know that he is very disappointed in the current POTUS's performance. (Or lack of same.) Still in all, I am courteous, polite, and have only occasional fun at Dave's expense.

We both enjoy each other's company and professional relationship far too much to let politics interfere.

So, imagine my surprise when I get the e-mail below from Dave; a sentiment about one thing he believes is wrong with our government. Speaking with him, I get the impression he truly wants this amendment to come to be.

I joked about him showing up at the Santa Ana Civic Center on 15 April for the 2nd anniversary of the Tea Party get-togethers and he responded, "I just might."

So here's why Dave's so mad and here's what he wants us to do. It's made the rounds before, but coming from Dave to me it has special meaning:

No one has been able to explain to me why young men and women serve in the U.S. Military for 20 years, risking their lives protecting freedom, and only get 50% of their pay. While politicians hold their political positions in the safe confines of the capital, protected by these same men and women, and receive full pay retirement after serving one term. It just does not make any sense.

Monday on Fox news they learned that the staffers of Congress family members are exempt from having to pay back student loans. This will get national attention if other news networks will broadcast it. When you add this to the below, just where will all of it stop?

35 States file lawsuit against the Federal Government

Governors of 35 states have filed suit against the Federal Government for imposing unlawful burdens upon them. It only takes 38 (of the 50) States to convene a Constitutional Convention.

This will take less than thirty seconds to read. If you agree, please pass it on.

This is an idea that we should address.

For too long we have been too complacent about the workings of Congress. Many citizens had no idea that members of Congress could retire with the same pay after only one term, that they specifically exempted themselves from many of the laws they have passed (such as being exempt from any fear of prosecution for sexual harassment) while ordinary citizens must live under those laws. The latest is to exempt themselves from the Healthcare Reform... in all of its forms. Somehow, that doesn't seem logical. We do not have an elite that is above the law. I truly don't care if they are Democrat, Republican, Independent or whatever. The self-serving must stop.

If each person that receives this will forward it on to 20 people, in three days, most people in The United States of America will have the message.. This is one proposal that really should be passed around.

Proposed 28th Amendment to the United States Constitution: "Congress shall make no law that applies to the citizens of the United States that does not apply equally to the Senators and/or Representatives; and, Congress shall make no law that applies to the Senators and/or Representatives that does not apply equally to the citizens of the United States."